| Abstract: |
The building recording has been undertaken at Level 3 (as defined by English Heritage in
Understanding Historic Buildings: a Guide to Good Recording Practice, 2006) and consisted of three principal elements: a photographic record, a drawn record and a written record.
The photographic record consisted of 35 mm film (black and white prints) and digital photography. It included both general views of structures and specific details, particularly
of timber framing and joinery on elevations and the roof.
The drawn record consisted of plans and elevations of historic timber framing at an
appropriate scale. Where practicable these were based on existing surveys of the building
provided by Pembroke College. Much additional detail was recorded on the existing
drawings such as construction phasing.
The written record (this report) complemented the drawn record and includes a description
of the fabric and features revealed during the works and an analysis of their construction,
function and development and relationship to the different phases of the building. The
Bannister House, Brewer Street, Oxford Historic Building Recording and Investigation written record also includes descriptions of the surviving historic timber framing of the structure.
The recording was commissioned and undertaken in August 2011 after the erection of
scaffolding at the site and after the initial start of softstrip works. Oxford Archaeology has undertaken a programme of historic building recording on Nos 7-8 Brewer Street (Bannister House) in Oxford prior to its renovation as part of a large development by Pembroke College.
Bannister House is a multi phase structure from which No. 7 appears to be the oldest surviving element, probably dating from the mid to late 17th century, although it is possible that the cellar and ground floor could retain earlier elements. No. 7 is a fine example of a large urban timber framed building and is probably representative of a certain phase of timber frame building in Oxford city, which has now mostly been lost.
The first phase of No. 8, to the north, was built onto the stone west gable wall of No. 7, probably in the late 17th century. It is a small three storied stone building with a single room at each level. The roof shows evidence of rearrangement in the 19th century, probably around the time of the first extension to the south and as a consequence the southern arrangement of the first phase has been lost.
No evidence of any major phase of alterations in the 18th-century appears to survive and the second phase of No.8, to the south, is likely to date to the first half of the 19th century. It is a relatively high status extension with high ceilings and a grand, ornate staircase which demonstrates an aggrandisement of the house. The third phase, to the west, which added a further three large rooms to the house, was likely to have been built shortly after in the early to mid 19th century.
The investigation of Bannister House forms part of a wider programme of archaeological work at the Pembroke College development site which also includes the recording of several other structures prior to their demolition (including No. 6 Brewer Street) and below-ground recording during intrusive works. The current report has enhanced understanding of Bannister House and it adds to a previous analysis undertaken by the Oxfordshire Buildings Record in May 2011. |
